Juliette Lewis Shielded from Tragic On-Set Death in ‘Christmas Vacation’
In a recent revelation, Juliette Lewis disclosed that she was unaware of a tragic event during the filming of the beloved holiday film, *Christmas Vacation*. A trained squirrel, integral to a chaotic scene, died unexpectedly from a heart attack. This information came to light when Beverly D’Angelo shared behind-the-scenes details at a fan event.
Behind the Scene of ‘Christmas Vacation’
Released in 1989, *National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation* has become a festive classic. The film follows the Griswold family’s attempts to have a perfect Christmas, hindered by a series of comedic mishaps. Among these, a standout scene involves Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, discovering a squirrel nestled in their Christmas tree.
Unexpected Squirrel Death
At the Fan Expo Chicago, Lewis, who portrayed Audrey Griswold, discussed the challenges of filming this particular scene. She noted, “I think we shot that for three days.” D’Angelo, playing her mother in the film, surprised Lewis with the news of the original trained squirrel’s death years later.
- The squirrel died from a heart attack during production.
- Due to this, an untrained squirrel was used in some shots.
- A fake squirrel was employed for scenes where the animal appeared on Clark’s back.
The Impact of the Incident
D’Angelo reminisced about the filming of the frantic sequence. She recounted that the squirrel’s untimely demise led to an adjustment in production. “Chevy ended up wearing a stuffed squirrel on his shoulder for everything but the leap at the camera,” she revealed, acknowledging how this altered the scene’s authenticity.
Despite the somber side of this story, *Christmas Vacation* remains a cherished holiday film. Its mix of chaos and humor continues to resonate with audiences, ensuring its place in festive celebrations for decades.
